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Dubai Desert Classic: Thorbjorn Olesen reveals goals for 2013

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen hopes he can kick-start a two-win season by capturing the Dubai Desert Classic this weekend.

Last Updated: 02/02/13 11:40am

Thorbjorn Olesen: One shot back with 36 holes to play

A bogey-free 66 in round two took the Dane to the top of the leaderboard on Friday although his 11-under total was beaten late on by first round leader Richard Sterne.

Olesen and one-shot leader Sterne will now head out in the last group in Saturday's third round and the Dane, who has been touted as one of the European Tour's next big stars, knows plenty of eyes will be on him.

"I believe in myself and want to achieve my own goals - that's the biggest pressure," said Olesen, who was runner-up in Abu Dhabi a fortnight ago.

Those goals, he revealed, are straightforward - winning tournaments.

"I'm hungry for more wins," said Olesen. "I want to win twice this season. That's my main goal, so the quicker I can get the first one the better."

Leader Sterne knows he faces a tough task to stay in front but feels it's his turn to shine after watching fellow South Africans Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen win majors over the last few years while his career has stalled due to a back injury.

"The course was a lot tougher with the wind and the greens definitely firmed out a bit," said Sterne after following his superb opening 62 with a 70.

"I think it's going to be quite tricky coming to the weekend. There's a lot of guys bunched up and you're going to have to play pretty well to be there on Sunday.

"I had a long time sitting at home watching all the guys and especially the South Africans winning, so it's nice to be back in the action and to have a chance."